May 7, 2012

SUN-day in Mohawk, OR

It was an awesome weekend for riding the moto...the sun was out and by Sunday, the heat was a welcome change from our (lately) rainy days and dreary weekends. Instead of riding, though, Trout and I spent the weekend lounging around my pal Skylar's home on the Mohawk River. To be honest, I don't recall everything we did. It's kind of a blur. Sure, there were drinks on Friday (imagine Skylar's shagrin when she arrived home and a pal and I were already there, drinks in hand), there was some deck time, drinks, great food, a header into the hot tub, a beautiful moon and a few more drinks...and a rather large chicken.

It was one of those weekends that make you happy to be alive. But, it wasn't all roses. Today Skylar and I had every intent of going on a kayak trip down the Mohawk River. What started as a mid day event turned into a rush by 4:00 PM when we finally headed to a put in spot. On the way we met up with two little dogs, running wild and free down the road without collar or tags. Being dog lovers, we stopped and spent some time looking for their home. We finally found it (whew what a relief, I so DID NOT want a Pug or two) and headed to our destination. As we were standing on the trail Skylar suggests a photo before we start our three hour journey through what is normally meek water but is still currently overflowing and busting at the seams for a tiny river. As we are standing there, mugging for the shot, I tell Skylar she'd better hurry up because I'm getting eaten alive! Then I scream and run away like a scared little child because I suddenly realize, I AM LITERALLY BEING EATEN ALIVE by fire ants! They were all over our feet and running up or legs, biting, pinching, punching or whatever the little bastards do.

Once on the road and all the ants that had hitched a ride were pounded into the asphalt Skylar wonders if maybe someone is trying to tell us something. I mean, first we dilly dally til 4PM, then two dogs derail us, then fire ants attack us. Back and forth we go like Laurel and Hardy until finally we decide life is too short and anything could happen during the week before we have the time again. (I do note, however, if I see one snake it's all goodbyes.)

At this point, I was psyched up, pumped up, revved up, and ready to toss those kayaks in the water and paddle! I unstrapped my side and Sykar had her side. I took my kayak off and I tell her to wait and I'll come around and help. But she's stubborn.

Skylar: You think I can't do it? You can do it, I can do it.
(Competitive much?)
Me: It's kind of heavy.
Skylar: I can totally do it. I don't need your hel........

BAM! SMASH! KAYAK DOWN!!!!

Apparently she DID need my help. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants. Really. I think I did a little.

We head to the river and decide to slide the kayaks down an embankment so we don't have to be near the little bastard fire ants. I hold onto the handle on the end and slide it down the bank and as I let go, the front of the kayak heads into the river and starts floating away! Skylar is jumping up and down screaming, "My cell phone! My cell phone is in the kayak!" And I'm thinking, it's MY fn kayak floating down the river, chill the hell out! I slide down the embankment and over a log and almost fall face first into the water to grab the boat before it's swept totally away. It isn't until I start to head back up that I realize the log is a major thorough-way for a colony of fire ants. They are on me again as I dance around like I'm stuck in an elevator with ten pounds of coke and surrounded by DEA agents.

After breaching the fire ant wall we finally get both kayaks in the river and we take off. It is the most wonderous of days, peacefully paddling as the sights and scenery remind us both of simpler times. One of the first things we see is a destroyed inflatable boat hanging from a tree but we aren't scared! It's just one more warning that we will totally disregard.

A calm spot with no downed trees to maneuver and no rabid dogs!

Along the almost three hour float we made so many memories. At one point a huge rabid looking dog jumped into the river and started chasing us...I was caught against trees and almost tipped, we passed a peacock farm (no shrat!), about a dozen or more old discarded cars along the shoreline, a few pot plants, a beaver that made me scream like a baby girl (again), and some locals who were so friendly looking that I actually asked Skylar, "They aren't going to shoot us, are they?" All of the while we were paddling, laughing, enjoying the peacefulness of the river (and I was listening to Skylar scream at me, "Move Beeotch!" She has some anger management issues).

As I write this, Trout is sleeping at my feet (okay, she's really on the couch, snoring) and I am reminded ever so gently, that life can break you down or build you up but it doesn't wait. It doesn't stop while you finish a project, while you find that perfect someone, while the dog matures, or until your broken heart stops bleeding. It doesn't care if you had plans with someone and your future was mapped out, if you didn't finish your bucket list, or if you put off everything until tomorrow. Life moves so fast and is gone in what seems like a blink of an eye. It is not fair and it is not forgiving but there are some moments in it that will take your breath away if you take the time to notice them.

So despite what odds you may face (like those bastard fire ants) or what warnings you may hear or see, keep going. Keep trying. Keep living. Keep loving. Keep smiling. Keep trusting. Keep moving forward....because laughter and happiness come in those moments when you least expect them and sometimes, in days when your head tells you to ride but your heart tells you to chill.

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Wet Trout

This blog is named after my dog Trout, who is often wet...and ironically, a wet trout is a fisherman's term that means "to smack a person with a fresh trout for being an idiot" and I'm often an idiot.

In addition to being an idiot, I'm a certified BBQ judge who enjoys traveling, writing, ghost hunting, motorcycles, Glamping in my RV, floating the river and kayaking, hiking, fishing, and spending time with my furball. I'm sarcastic, witty, over-educated, and quite possibly the most annoying person you'll ever meet. Welcome to my world.